Brickbats

Sdecoret / Dreamstime.comA new report from the British Parliament found that a man sentenced to life in prison for attempting to blow up a London subway station in 2017 had admitted to being trained by the Islamic State in a camp in Iraq when he applied for asylum. Ahmed Hassan entered the country in 2015 and was granted asylum despite his admission. British intelligence never investigated him before the bombing. … [Read more...] about Brickbat: Some Fine Investigation Work

Jarun011 / Dreamstime.comWant to volunteer in your child's school? Sell real estate? A proposed Arizona law would require you to provide a DNA sample if you want to perform these activities or any other that require a fingerprinting. The state would keep the sample and link it to your Social Security number, last known address and other personal information. The bill would allow the state to share it with other government agencies and with anyone doing "legitimate research." Supporters say the bill would help police solve cold cases and other crimes. … [Read more...] about Brickbat: Not Very Trusting

Arne9001 / Dreamstime.comIn New York, Elizabeth Catlin faces felony charges, including working as a midwife without a license. Catlin is certified professional midwife and has successfully delivered hundreds of babies over the past three decades. But New York has some of the most severe restrictions on midwives in the nation, only allowing certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives to practice in the state. Both CNMs and certified midwives require extensive training, including graduate degrees. And CNMs tend to practice in hospitals and not do home births like Catlin does. … [Read more...] about Brickbat: The Birds and the Bees

Igor Kardasov / Dreamstime.comNew York City's Commission on Human Rights is set to ban discrimination based on hair style or texture in work or school and in public places. Guidelines issued by the commission say people have a right to "natural hair, treated or untreated hairstyles such as locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros, and/or the right to keep hair in an uncut or untrimmed state." The commission can issue fines of up to $250,000 on those found to have discriminated against someone based on their hair. There is no cap on the damages it can award. … [Read more...] about Brickbat: Bangled, Tangled, Spangled, and Spaghettied

A couple in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood wanted to add a garage with a ramp and elevator to their home for their daughter, who uses a wheelchair. But some neighbors opposed it, saying it's not in keeping with the historic nature of the neighborhood. "I understand that the people who purchased the house have a child that requires special needs," Steve Weiss, president of the Old Town Triangle Association, wrote in a letter to his alderman. "I don't mean to be heartless or uncaring but this is not the neighborhood for that." Leaders of London's police union have warned they may tell officers to stop arresting subjects who resist—unless the public starts pitching in. The remarks came after several officers were injured in violent confrontations while nearby civilians filmed the incidents but did not intervene. "We don't come to work to get assaulted, and if we're not going to be backed up in what we're doing then what is the point?" said Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan … [Read more...] about Brickbats